Arsenal Face Battle For Tagliafico

La Liga Giants Also Keen

Arsenal will battle two La Liga giants for the Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico.

The Argentina international has been linked in recent weeks with interest from the Gunners as they seek to boost their defence this summer.

But Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are also being linked with the 26-year-old who was close to an £8million move to Newcastle United last summer.

Tagliafico’s price has increased somewhat after he has starred in an Ajax side that has reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. He is known to be keen on a move to La Liga and is likely to choose either of the Madrid clubs over Arsenal.

“Before I came to Ajax, we talked about the possibility of La Liga because it is a league I like and a very competitive one,” he said before Ajax’s shock 4-1 win over Real Madrid in the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

But his countryman and Atletico coach Diego Simeone is known to be keen.

“If Simeone is interested in me and really wants me it means I’m doing well but the important thing now though is to think about Ajax,” Tagliafico added.

Schar Back On Arsenal Target List

Arsenal are also being linked with Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar.

The Switzerland international was on the Gunners’ radar when he was with Basel although Arsene Wenger decided against a move.

Since then, Schar has moved on to Hoffenheim, Deportivo La Coruna and Newcastle for whom he signed in a £3million transfer last summer. He has made 21 appearances for the Magpies scoring three goals.